“Lohin McKinnon has excellent aroma with rich with darker fruity notes, subtle vanilla and is pleasantly woody. The liquid is great, with a touch of green apple skins, buttery notes, woody and softly textured mouth feel.”

~ Mike Nicolson, Canadian master distiller

Surrey, BC, Canada – The Canadian whisky industry has just been redefined with the launch of Central City Brewers + Distillers’ highly anticipated Lohin McKinnon Single Malt Whisky. One of only a handful of single malt whiskies released in British Columbia, Lohin McKinnon is Central City’s first ever whisky, backed by their legacy of brewing award-winning beers.

Lohin McKinnon combines the brewing prowess of internationally renowned Brewmaster, Gary Lohin, and the distilling talents of Head Distiller, Stuart McKinnon. Matured in premium, bourbon oak barrels, this smooth and refined small batch whisky is made from the finest Canadian malted barley and pure BC water. Lohin McKinnon is the beginning of Central City’s burgeoning single malt whisky portfolio that will include aged and small batch limited releases using finishing casks and peat-smoked malt.

Revered as one of Canada’s craft beer leaders, Lohin has been passionately brewing for more than 25 years, and has won numerous international awards, including three World Beer Cup medals. McKinnon hails from Scotland, and has been with Central City since the company started distilling in 2013. His Queensborough Gin, which recently launched in 2016, has already won numerous awards.

“We use the same passion and commitment to excellence when brewing our beer as we do when we make our spirits; especially our first whisky,” says Lohin. “We use only the best ingredients and follow traditional world class methods to make our high end whisky. Lohin McKinnon is truly a labour of love for us, and we’ve been eagerly waiting for three years to launch it.”

“Brewing and distilling really isn’t that far apart so it’s a natural progression for us to start distilling,” says McKinnon. “The distilling process begins with the same barley mash that you would with beer – just without the hops. We distill our whisky using traditional copper artisan stills from Germany, and age them in bourbon oak barrels.”

Recognized as one of BC’s best craft breweries; two-time winner of the Canadian Brewery of the Year Award, Central City Brewers + Distillers, entered the world of craft distilling in 2013 when they opened their new 68,000 sq. ft. brewery and distillery on Bridgeview Drive in Surrey. They launched their high-end spirits portfolio with Seraph Vodka and Gin, the award-winning Queensborough Gin, and now the Lohin McKinnon single malt whisky.

Lohin McKinnon (750 ml bottles, 43% alc./vol) is now available in BC and Ontario liquor stores.

Central City is a craft brewery and distillery in the business of developing, producing and selling international award-winning, premium craft beer, and high-quality distilled spirits, brewed without compromise. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, CCBD was voted Canada’s Brewery of the Year in 2010 and 2012. Their Red Racer brand has become a cult icon among craft beer enthusiasts throughout North America.